Mekong Delta tourism introduced in Hanoi, Haiphong

Localities in the Mekong Delta will introduce their tourism products and promotional programs to tourists in the northern region with activities conducted in Hanoi today and Haiphong tomorrow.

Representatives of nine localities including Can Tho, Kien Giang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Dong Thap, Vinh Long, Soc Trang, Hau Giang and Ben Tre on Wednesday left for Hanoi to organize the program, the first of its kind to attract tourists from northern provinces.

According to Dang Hoang Kim from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Can Tho City, the program has the cooperation of Vietnam Airlines as well as travel agencies, restaurants and hotels.

The air carrier has pledged to offer discounts of 30-50% on Hanoi-Can Tho air tickets for tour operators while travel firms and restaurants offer a 10% discount. Similarly, hotels reduce room rates by 20-40%.

Currently, tourists from northern provinces often arrive in HCMC before visiting neighboring provinces such as Tien Giang and Long An. However, the Mekong Delta wants to welcome more tourists to other provinces in the region as transport has now been much easier.

“We want to make use of the Hanoi-Can Tho air service to take tourists straight to the Mekong Delta,” Kim said.

Vietnam Airlines currently operates two flights between Hanoi and Can Tho. In addition to the tourism promotion trip in Hanoi and Haiphong, the nine localities have also proposed Vietnam Airlines to open the Danang-Can Tho air route to attract more tourists from central provinces.

According to the Can Tho Investment and Trade Promotion Center, the Mekong Delta welcomed around 18.6 million tourists last year, including some 1.6 million international tourists.